flaringNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94flaringFri, 18 Nov 2016 12:30:18 +0000flaringhttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org
Stephanie JoyceIndustry groups are already fighting back against a federal rule released Tuesday that would curb methane emissions from oil and gas wells on public lands. The rule would restrict venting and flaring from roughly 100,000 wells and the Department of the Interior says it could cut oil and gas emissions by up to 35 percent.But less than an hour after the government released the rule, industry groups sued to overturn it, saying the Interior Department doesn't have authority to regulate oil and gas in this way. They also argue the rule is too heavy-handed and will make producing natural gas more expensive.“We’ll be filing a preliminary injunction soon, to try to stop it before it goes into effect January 17—and that date is no accident, by the way,” said Kathleen Sgamma, vice president of public affairs for the Western Energy Alliance.If the rule is not stayed by a court, it would be difficult, but not impossible, for the incoming Trump administration to overturn it. The existing rule isIndustry Groups Sue Over New Federal Rule Targeting Oil And Gas Emissionshttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/industry-groups-sue-over-new-federal-rule-targeting-oil-and-gas-emissions
97236 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 16 Nov 2016 01:21:56 +0000Industry Groups Sue Over New Federal Rule Targeting Oil And Gas EmissionsStephanie JoyceThe Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has finalized new rules governing the flaring and venting of natural gas from oil wells. Natural gas is a byproduct of drilling for oil, but when there aren't pipelines or processing facilities nearby to collect the gas, companies sometimes end up burning it off. The new rules formalize requirements for operators to submit reports so that the state can keep track of how much gas is being flared. "I think that there previously have been some gaps in the data, and I think this new rule will help fill those gaps and we'll get a much better understanding what's happening out in the field," said John Robitaille, assistant director of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. "So I think we're making a strong step forward." The new rules also require operators submit a plan for how they will eventually capture the gas when they apply to flare. Environmental groups praised the changes, but said they could have gone further. “The downside is thatState Adopts New Rules For Flaring Of Natural Gashttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/state-adopts-new-rules-flaring-natural-gas
86765 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 10 Feb 2016 00:30:50 +0000State Adopts New Rules For Flaring Of Natural GasStephanie JoyceThe Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is proposing changes to its rules for burning or “flaring” natural gas. Natural gas is a byproduct of drilling for oil, but when there aren't nearby pipelines or processing facilities to take the gas, companies often burn it for a period of time. Environmental groups say flaring wastes a valuable, non-renewable resource and creates air quality problems for nearby residents. The proposed rule change doesn’t cut back on the amount of gas companies can flare, but companies that want to flare past the initial 15-day grace period would have to submit a plan for how they are going to eventually get the gas into a pipeline. "I'm glad that we actually have it in writing,” said John Robitaille, VP of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, adding that the Oil and Gas Commission has made it clear recently that companies need to have a gas capture plan. Companies would also have to file reports more frequently about how much they’ve burned. JillEnvironmental Groups Disappointed With Flaring Regshttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/environmental-groups-disappointed-flaring-regs
83466 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgMon, 16 Nov 2015 23:54:25 +0000Environmental Groups Disappointed With Flaring RegsStephanie JoyceAccording to a new study from the Environmental Defense Fund, in 2013, Wyoming burned, vented and leaked $76 million worth of natural gas from federal and tribal lands. “That’s a big waste of what could be going into federal and tribal royalty coffers,” said EDF spokesman Jon Goldstein, pointing out that the money also ends up with states and local communities through royalty sharing. Independent consulting firm ICF International conducted the study. They used a combination of reported and estimated gas loss to come up with their figures. For Wyoming, they calculated 25 billion cubic feet of gas were wasted, the second highest amount in the nation, after New Mexico. Both states produce most of their oil and gas from federal and tribal lands. Methane, the main component of unburned natural gas, contributes to global warming and smog. “So going after and trying to fix these leaks would help with that problem as well,” said Goldstein. Since 2013, Colorado, North Dakota and Wyoming haveNew Study Says Wyoming Wasted $76M In Natural Gashttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/new-study-says-wyoming-wasted-76m-natural-gas
76917 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 24 Jun 2015 04:29:54 +0000New Study Says Wyoming Wasted $76M In Natural GasStephanie JoyceWyoming regulators have backtracked on a threat that Cirque Resources would face severe consequences if it didn’t figure out a way to curb the burning off of natural gas from the company’s oil wells in Laramie County.Flaring natural gas is something the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has tried to crack down on in recent years, so when Cirque Resources asked in November for permission to burn 1.4 million cubic feet of natural gas a day from eight oil wells, Commissioner Tom Fitzsimmons said, “If they don’t find a location to put that gas into a sales pipe and send off to market, then they should anticipate not producing the oil that’s associated with it.”The Commission gave Cirque until this week’s meeting to make a plan for selling the gas. But when their docket came up at Tuesday's meeting, attorney Tom Throne told the Commission that as of February 26, Cirque no longer owned any of the oil wells, and that a new company, Samson Energy, was now asking for permission to flare.Oil And Gas Commission Struggles To Curb Flaringhttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/oil-and-gas-commission-struggles-curb-flaring
72178 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 11 Mar 2015 20:53:42 +0000Oil And Gas Commission Struggles To Curb FlaringCaroline Ballard A new data analysis by the Casper Star-Tribune shows last year, Wyoming oil companies flared $11 million dollars worth of natural gas. Ben Storrow reports on energy for the Casper Star Tribune and he wrote the story about wasted gas. He joined Wyoming Public Radio's Caroline Ballard to talk about it. Wyoming Oil Companies Flared At Least $11 Million Of Natural Gas In 2014http://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/wyoming-oil-companies-flared-least-11-million-natural-gas-2014
69419 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgTue, 13 Jan 2015 16:10:43 +0000Wyoming Oil Companies Flared At Least $11 Million Of Natural Gas In 2014Stephanie Joyce The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission gave a company permission to continue burning off large volumes of natural gas from its oil wells in Laramie County this week, but not before expressing its disapproval. Cirque Resources asked the Commission for permission to continue flaring more than 1.4 million cubic feet of natural gas per day -- enough to heat more than 7000 homes. The company said it’s not currently possible to get that gas into a pipeline. Governor Matt Mead asked Cirque why they hadn’t anticipated the situation and said he was "very uncomfortable with this [request]." Commissioner Tom Fitzsimmons had even stronger words. “If they don’t find a location to put that gas into a sales pipe and send off to market, then they should anticipate not producing that oil that’s associated with it,” he said. Oil is much more lucrative than natural gas. The Commission gave Cirque a four month flaring extension. Oil Company Chastised For Wasting Natural Gashttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/oil-company-chastised-wasting-natural-gas
67015 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgThu, 20 Nov 2014 01:26:00 +0000Oil Company Chastised For Wasting Natural GasStephanie JoyceThe Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is planning to review several controversial issues, including flaring, well-setbacks and bonding, starting in March.Those topics have come up a lot in recent years, with the boom in drilling. The Powder River Basin Resource Council asked the Commission to address them last year, and so have several residents in recent opinion pieces in the Casper Star-Tribune.Oil and Gas Supervisor Grant Black says at some point the Commission plans to do a comprehensive rule review, but that for now, these three issues have been prioritized. The Commission will start with some informal information-gathering sessions before doing formal rulemaking.The meetings could start as soon as next month, and Black is hoping to wrap up the full process, including any rulemaking, by the end of the year. Oil And Gas Regulation Review Kicks Offhttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/oil-and-gas-regulation-review-kicks
54713 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgSat, 01 Mar 2014 00:53:07 +0000Oil And Gas Regulation Review Kicks OffBob BeckThe Wyoming Outdoor Council is the latest organization urging legislators and others to look for ways to reduce the practice of flaring. Flaring is when natural gas … which is a byproduct of oil production … is burned. The Outdoor Council says it causes pollution and wastes a resource. The group’s Amber Wilson says one reason drillers burn natural gas is because companies don’t have a good way to dispose of the gas. She says the state could work with companies to improve the pipeline grid. “Some places are out in the middle of nowhere with no pipelines to collect that gas, and so by working with companies to create that infrastructure, that could make co llecting it a lot more appealing.” The Outdoor Council also says flaring costs the state money by burning a valuable resource. WOC wants to reduce flaringhttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/woc-wants-reduce-flaring
52769 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgFri, 17 Jan 2014 23:56:20 +0000WOC wants to reduce flaringStephanie JoyceA legislative committee killed a bill Tuesday that would have taxed natural gas flaring from oil wells.When there isn’t pipeline or processing infrastructure available to move the natural gas, companies simply burn it. The draft bill would have required severance tax payments on gas flared more than 180 days after the well starts producing. Representative Michael Madden, one of two supporters of the bill, said the proposal wasn’t a tax increase, but rather the repeal of an exemption. “You know, if you’re a poor little gas molecule coming up that pipe, alright, you don’t know if you’re going to go into the pipeline and do some good for somebody or whether you’re going to be flared, right? But we make a distinction about it by saying if it’s flared, it’s tax-free, but if it’s not flared, we’re going to tax it.”Petroleum Association of Wyoming President Bruce Hinchey told the Joint Revenue Committee that taxing flared gas wouldn’t be fair because companies don’t make a profit off of it.Bill to tax natural gas flaring dies in committeehttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/bill-tax-natural-gas-flaring-dies-committee
49121 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 30 Oct 2013 00:45:12 +0000Bill to tax natural gas flaring dies in committeeIrina ZhorovThere are fewer companies flaring off natural gas today than there were six months ago. In March, the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission had 65 flaring authorizations. Members of the Legislatures Minerals Committee were told by Commission Supervisor Grant Black that now there is about half that number. He also said that companies generally request flaring permits when a compressor is down or there is no pipeline to get the gas to market and they’re seeing much less of the latter. Director of the Office and State Lands and Investments, Ryan Lance, said part of the problem was that operators didn’t totally know what they had before they drilled and are now catching up. “Industry is hearing and they’re working hard to get a handle on these flared volumes because they want to capture that volume too,” said Lance. However, Lance still had concerns that royalties are not being paid on gas that is flared. The Revenue Committee is looking at that issue. Natural gas flaring in state improving, but still an issuehttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/natural-gas-flaring-state-improving-still-issue
47547 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgFri, 27 Sep 2013 00:12:33 +0000Natural gas flaring in state improving, but still an issueStephanie JoyceNatural gas’ reputation as a climate-friendly alternative to coal has been tarnished recently by concerns that methane—a potent greenhouse gas—is leaking in copious quantities as the fuel makes its way from the ground to the consumer. A study released Monday provides the first on-the-ground measurements of methane leaks at hydraulically fractured natural gas well sites, and they're not as bad as some had feared. University of Texas engineering professor David Allen says his team found that emissions are lower during construction, higher during production and about the same overall as previous estimates by the federal government. That runs counter to the results of several smaller studies, and Allen says it gives companies and regulators a better idea of where to focus their attention. “The first step in trying to understand what to do about methane emissions is to make sure that you really know what the methane emissions are,” he says. Drew Nelson works for the Environmental DefenseEmissions measurements advance case for natural gashttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/emissions-measurements-advance-case-natural-gas
47013 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgTue, 17 Sep 2013 00:50:57 +0000Emissions measurements advance case for natural gasBob BeckWyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck spoke with the new supervisor of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Grant Black. Since he started the job a few weeks ago, Black has been dealing with issues ranging from the flaring of natural gas to water contamination. He says the flaring issue is interesting. Wyoming’s Oil and Gas Supervisor discusses issues from flaring to frackinghttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/wyoming-s-oil-and-gas-supervisor-discusses-issues-flaring-fracking
41985 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgFri, 07 Jun 2013 22:27:30 +0000Wyoming’s Oil and Gas Supervisor discusses issues from flaring to frackingIrina ZhorovA coalition of Wyoming groups has filed a rulemaking petition to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to address oil and gas development in the state. The petition focuses on three main issues: increasing the setback of drilling rigs from homes, schools and businesses, adequate enforcement in the case of accidents and spills…and reducing the practice of flaring. Powder River Basin Resource Council’s Jill Morrison says flaring has been a recognized problem for some time. “I think the reason the Commission has flagged it, and the Legislature has flagged it, and the Governor has flagged, is that it is a very serious waste of a very important resource that the state and private mineral owners are losing royalty money on and we’re losing tax dollars on. But it’s also a health a safety issue.” Morrison is hopeful that the Commission will discuss these issues. “These are all really important issues for people in Wyoming dealing with oil and gas issues. I think we’re hopeful theGroups want Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to address development issues.http://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/groups-want-oil-and-gas-conservation-commission-address-development-issues
41139 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgWed, 22 May 2013 12:12:40 +0000Groups want Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to address development issues.Irina ZhorovOil development in the state is bringing up natural gas along with the oil, but some of the gas is getting burned off in flares and the state is missing out on taxes and royalty payments. The reason the gas is getting flared is that there are not enough pipelines in place to connect new wells to markets. The President of the Wyoming Petroleum Association, Bruce Hinchey, says it doesn’t always make sense to build new pipelines for the relatively small quantities of gas coming up. “Let’s say the pipeline needs to be put in to go to a pipeline where they can sell it and be able to sell it to market. It could be 5 miles, it could 10 miles, it could be 20 miles, it could be 50 miles away from the pipeline where they can sell it and be able to sell it to market. So you have to look at the economics of how much does it cost to build that pipeline so that you can sell the product,” says Hinchey. The practice affects state, federal, and private lands. Hinchey says producers would need many moreOil and gas operators flaring more gas, paying no taxes or royaltieshttp://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/oil-and-gas-operators-flaring-more-gas-paying-no-taxes-or-royalties
38700 as http://wyomingpublicmedia.orgFri, 29 Mar 2013 23:14:31 +0000Oil and gas operators flaring more gas, paying no taxes or royalties